With ADA spaces filling quickly, FIU outlines enforcement practices, transportation support, and ongoing plans to improve access for disabled students, staff, and faculty.
David Brown | Contributing Writer
With FIU’s rapid rise in student enrollment, welcoming nearly 6,000 freshmen to the 2025 school year alone, parking has become a major obstacle for students, staff, and faculty. Disabled parking availability remains limited relative to the growing population, making parking even more challenging for disabled community members to manage.
As frustration over scarce parking continues, many disabled drivers want to know what happens when all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) spaces are taken. Thomas Hartley, FIU’s associate vice president, offered detailed insight into the university’s policies, enforcement practices, and ongoing efforts to improve accessibility across campus.
Hartley explained that when all ADA spaces in a specific location are occupied, disabled drivers should contact Parking & Transportation for immediate assistance. The university provides on-demand golf cart transportation from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. He emphasized that FIU maintains ADA spaces that exceed state requirements and adjusts availability based on demand. “We recently added five ADA spaces in Lot 9 after reviewing demand patterns,” Hartley said. He encourages anyone experiencing access challenges to notify Parking & Transportation so issues can be identified and addressed promptly.
Disabled parking regulations at FIU are enforced at all times. “At FIU, disabled parking regulations are enforced as part of regular enforcement cycles and in accordance with ADA and State of Florida requirements,” Hartley said. Parking Ambassadors verify that placards are properly displayed, ensure appropriate use, and issue citations when violations are observed. The fine for improper use of an ADA space or disabled parking placard is $250.
Parking Ambassadors patrol all parking facilities throughout operating hours to safeguard ADA spaces. Their responsibilities include patrolling during peak and off-peak hours, verifying valid permits and disabled parking credentials, responding immediately to reports of misuse, and issuing citations when necessary. Community members are encouraged to report concerns about improper use of disabled parking at any time.
Hartley also addressed a common question: whether it is permissible to use a family member’s disabled parking permit when that individual is not present. “Under Florida State law, disabled parking permits may only be used by the individual to whom they were issued, or when transporting that individual,” he said. “Using someone else’s disabled parking permit, even a family member’s, when that person is not in the vehicle, is illegal and subject to penalties.”
FIU employs a multi-layered verification system to ensure ADA accommodations are used correctly. Ambassadors check that vehicles display a valid state-issued placard or license plate, a valid FIU parking permit, and credentials that match the permit holder’s FIU parking profile. The parking team also has access to State of Florida DMV records, allowing real-time verification of disabled parking credentials. If credentials do not match the registered permit holder, a citation is issued. Improper use of ADA credentials or spaces results in a $250 fine.
When asked whether FIU receives complaints from disabled students or staff, Hartley confirmed that the university actively monitors feedback and responds quickly. “Recently, based on feedback about ADA space availability in Lot 9, we conducted a usage analysis and added five ADA spaces within five days,” he said. FIU operates on a continuous improvement model, tracking parking patterns and welcoming community input. Parking & Transportation reassesses accessibility needs on a semester-to-semester basis and encourages recommendations for improvements.
Community members can contact Parking & Transportation at parking@fiu.edu or 305-348-3615 anytime Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., for requests, reports, recommendations, or concerns.
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